Bahrain opposition to rally as F1 practices kick-off

Bahrain’s opposition plans huge protests today to coincide with practice sessions in the run-up to Sunday’s Grand Prix in the Gulf kingdom in a bid to seize world attention for pro-reform demands,according to Voice of Russia, AFP

On Thursday night, thousands demonstrated in several areas across Bahrain in yet another day of protests, witnesses said.

“No Formula on Bahrain’s occupied land,” chanted the protesters. “No, no blood Formula.”

The radical February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, a clandestine cyber-group, said on Twitter that its supporters had burned tyres and blocked major roads.

Supporters of the more moderate opposition group Al-Wefaq gathered in the village of Karzakan, three kilometres (1.3 miles) away from Sakhir circuit where  the race will take place, but no clashes were reported.

Security forces are on high alert to prevent possible clashes from marring the race. The event is seen as a booster to the image and economy of the tiny Gulf monarchy .

Checkpoints were set up at major intersections, particularly on roads leading to the Sakhir circuit, south of Manama.

The February 14 Coalition has called for Friday to be a “Day of Rage,” urging demonstrators to take to the streets against the “blood Formula.”

Al-Wefaq called for “massive” afternoon protests on the Budaya highway, four kilometres west of Manama, which links a string of  villages with the capital.

Al-Wefaq members have repeatedly said they do not oppose the event but want their protests to be heard internationally and to press for solidarity from participating teams.

Protesters have intensified their movement over the past week, prompting near-daily clashes with security forces.

Government spokeswoman Samira Rajab said: “Bahrain is ready to host the F1 and there are no security issues,” dismissing the protests as “childish movements implementing Iranian agendas… that will not affect the race.”

Police have been rounding up pro-democracy activists in an attempt to head off protests.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Formula One of “ignoring rights abuses”. Security forces in Bahrain had “increased their repressive actions in the lead up to the 2013 race,” the group added.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani said he hoped to fill the grandstands and to have a crowd of more than 25,000 at the race day Sunday, insisting it was safe to go ahead with the race.

The event was cancelled in 2011 but went ahead last year.

Human rights groups say a total of 80 people have been killed in the unrest in Bahrain since February 2011.

R.S